Netflix ‘House of Cards’ Re-Elected for Season 5, With New Showrunner

We’re still waiting on a proper trailer for House of Cards Season 4, but Netflix is already taking major political swings. Frank Underwood (and hopefully Claire) will officially return for Season 5 in 2017, albeit without series showrunner Beau Willimon.

Netflix confirmed the news weeks ahead of Cards‘ March Season 4 premiere, without any immediate word of who would step in to replace Willimon. The showrunner has been with House of Cards since the beginning, while Netflix offered:

Prior to its fourth season premiere, Netflix and Media Rights Capital are thrilled to announce that House of Cards will return for a fifth season in 2017. Concurrent with the renewal, creator and showrunner Beau Willimon is departing the critically acclaimed series.

Netflix and MRC owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Beau Willimon for his strong narrative vision for House of Cards over the show’s first four seasons. As an Academy Award-nominated writer, he made his first foray into television and built a riveting and critically acclaimed series, establishing his place in TV history. The producers, cast and crew join us in wishing Beau the best in his next creative adventure.

In addition to House of Cards’ Season 4 premiere date on March 4, we know that Thor baddie Colm Feore will appear as “a high-profile new character,” which may or may not be one half of a high-profile British couple to rival Francis and Claire. Also on board for the next year of Frank Underwood’s placeholder presidency is Neve Campbell in an equally mysterious role.